The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1887-04-02
Select Storp.
WAITED UPON THE WIND.
a STRANGE CLUE.

| From ChdmberS's Journal.
Oswald declares that | saved him. /
write the story. of the most momentous
episode in his life and mine, in order that
this generous delusion may once for all be
corrected, and that others at least--for he
is obstinate-may understand how slender
and fortuitous was my share in that singu-
lar deliverance. 1t seems to me that my
narrative will gain in clearness and in CO.
herence if l begin with the day on which
I first made Oswald Wardour's acquaint-
ance.
l had arrived at Charing Cross alone
and unattended, except by my maid. The
friends with whom | had wintered in Rome
had paused at Folkestone, to recover from
the effects of somewhat Fopgh channel
passage; while had decided to keep to the
letter the promise made in my last home
ward despatch from Paris. Twas suffering
in no degree from NAL de mer, though the
immunity is small credit to an admiral 5
daughter, but longed to be at rest once
more in the quiet haven of the sombre
house in Lincoln Square. 1t was my ex-
pectation that upon the arrival platform |
should ind In waiting either my uncle or
Mr.. Hollinsworth, his chief clerk. But |
was subjected to disappointment. l scanned
the many different groups of bystanders in
vain, and was just confding to porter in
formation on the topic of luggage when a
young man, whom | had observed inspect
ing the compartments nearer to the engine,
advanced and lifted his hat. "Miss Craig,
] believer" he said.
was taken aback, for the speaker was
stranger to me, and marvelled not only
what his business might be, but how he had
obtained the secret of my identity. He
was tall and well bHilt, with fair pqPly hair,
and gray-blue eyes as frank and genial in
their expression as the summer sunshine,
| am afraid was frigid and naughty in
my affirmative, which in turn was an in
terrogation.
81 have come" he said, "in response to
the wish of Mr. Geofrey Craig. Our prin-
cipal has an engagement in Lombard Street
at this hour which he is reluctantly COM
PEELED to fulfil; and Mr.. Hollinsworth is
unfortunately invalided. You will permit
me to see to your luggage, Miss Craig2'
He was one of my qpcle's staff theR-=a
newcomer. i'Thank you so muchi shall
be extremely obliged" | answered.
Ny uncles carriage was in readiness
upon that point at least need have enter
tanned no doubts. When seated within it,
I soon learned from my companion that
his name was Oswald Wardour. He was
deferential, but it was the Difference of one
bred to habits of courtesy. There was
neither presumption nor servility in his
manner. He was selfpossessed and unas-
suming. Simply clerk 1t was hard to
believe it. In my not very extended trav
els had met many wealthy and titled
individual who, to all outward seeming, was
less deserving of the title gentleman.
Even in the first hour of reunion with
my dear uncle aud guardian, somehow
found opportunity to turn the conversation
In the direction of his messenger. He rail-
lied me with the slightly elephantine mirth
which knew to be sign of his content
at my temperance. "You are as much
daughter of Eve as when you teased your
father to let you see the clockwork that
moved the ships compass Ha, ha! 1t
was favorite joke with Ferdinand, poor
fellow w"-the laugh changed into sigh.
"And Wardour has bewildered your girl
ish wits, has he? Well, what the surface
shows is neither more nor less than the
fact. He looks gentleman, and he talks
like one; and he Is one. His family is a
branch of the Leicestershire Wardours.
They have been rich in their day; but a
lawsuit has come on the heels of other dis
asters, and left Oswald-their last repre-
sentative-with but barren patrimony-
barren in the literal sense of the word, for
it mainly consists of few hundred acres of
miserable, halfreclaimed land somewhere
in the north.
still wondered why it was that the
young man had not preferred an opening
in some profession to the drudgery and
humble status of desk in ship-broker's
office, and made some careless remark of
the kind.
A momentary shade of disapproval rest
ed upon my uncles countenance By i'm
plication, though quite inadvertently. |
had reflected upon his own choice of a ca
reer. "I.et me tell you that, In my opinion,
Wardour has acted wisely" he said ::
sMercantile pursuits are as deserving of
honor and respect as any others, and they
more frequently lead to competence. Ward
our has gone the right way to work in his
effort to conquer fortune by the exchange
of law for trade"
Here was supplemental disclosure.
The young mans ambition had at one time
scared to what in my heart of hearts fear
l still regarded as higher level. With an
apology, perhaps little wanting in candor,
on my part, the talk turned into another
channel.
This, as I have limited, was the COM
mencement of the reproduction of story
old yet ever new. What woman can COM
nit to cold, callous paper the record of her
wooing, or even breathe the cherished Sc
cret into the ears Of her bosom friend? l
at least should find the task impossible. 1t
is enough to state briefly that during the
lengthening days of that blissful spring,
Oswald and I met often, at first casually,
and then of design; that feelings of mutual